Goa Pro League: FC Goa come from behind to beat Calangute Association

Aaren D'Silva shone with a brace as the Junior Gaurs grabbed a crucial three points.

Aaren D'Silva scored a brace in the last 10 minutes to help FC Goa secure a comeback 2-1 win over Calangute Association in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Thursday. Debutant Jijar Terang had put the Beachside outfit in the lead in the first half with a stunning goal in the 36th minute.

Calangute Association coach Valentine Ezeugo made only one change to his side frim the previous game, as Terang made the debut. FC Goa who also made two changes to their side, as Velroy Fernandes and Ivon Costa found their names in the starting XI.

The Junior Gaurs were the first to come close to scoring in the sixth minute. Defender Serineo Fernandes curled the ball to the onrushing Vasim Inamdar in the box. He chested it down but failed to keep his strike on target. 

The rest of the half saw Calangute completely dictating play with successive attacks. First their Ivorian striker Kouame Kossonou got on a loose ball before making a darting run up the flank. He tried to find his teammate Siddhant Shirodkar in the box, but FC Goa defender Lalhmangaihsanga cleared the danger on time.

The Beachsiders had another opportunity in the 24th minute. Nickson Castanha sent a free-kick to Kouame. The Ivorian striker headed it to aan unmarked Fulganco Cardozo, but the Calangute defender failed to connect from close range.

Kouame once again came close to scoring at the half hour mark. He intercepted a back-pass from FC Goa defender Ralte and tried his luck from the edge of the box. But, Goa keeper Antonio Dylan Da Silva brilliantly blocked it at the cost of a corner.

After probing attacks, the Beachsiders finally managed to break the deadlock in the 36th minute. Kouame snatched the ball from FC Goa defender Serineo and smartly passed it to Jirjar. He shot from the edge of the box to make it 1-0 for his side.

FC Goa almost found the equalizer in the last minute of the half. Aaren D’Silva setup Vasim who beat the keeper and sent the ball towards goal, but Calangute defenders cleared it off the line.

Calangute came close to doubling their lead in the third minute after the restart. Chaitan Dabholkar was in a commanding position to score from inside the box but his strike went over the crossbar.

Another great opportunity went into vain for the Beachsiders in the 70th minute. Substitute Daryl Costa snatched the ball from FC Goa defender Ivon and made a darting run from the halfway line. But, he failed to convert from inside the box as his powerless shot was easily collected by keeper Dylan.

When it was looking like Calangute debutant Jijar will star in the Beachsiders' victory, the midfielder was given his marching orders for a tackle on an FC Goa defender in the 79th minute. The Junior Gaurs made the most of their man advantage and levelled terms in the very next minute. A fine cross by Serineo was headed in by Aaren from inside the box to make it 1-1.

Energized by the equalizer, FC Goa scored the winner in the 88th minute. Aaren once again jumped high to head Deeshank Kunkalikar’s cross into the back of the net to book all three points from the match.

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